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WORLD CUP 2026 · Monday, 22 June 2026 at 22:00 BST
France
3 – 0
Iraq

Match preview

France are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 79%. Only a poor recent run (four-from-five) gives Iraq a way in.

79%
France
15%
Draw
6%
Iraq
Model fair odds
France
1.27
Draw
6.67
Iraq
16.67

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

France
79%
Draw
15%
Iraq
6%
Elo rating: 2154 vs 1602 (+552)
Recent form: WWWWW vs LLLLD
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 79% / 15% / 6%
Most likely scores
France 2–0 (16%)
France 1–0 (15%)
France 3–0 (11%)
Draw 1–1 (8%)
Why France are favourites (79%)
  • France carry the higher Elo rating (+552 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • France unbeaten and winning in their last five (5W)
  • Iraq winless in their last five (1D 4L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 79% / 15% / 6% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

France are expected to control possession and territory, while Iraq will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks — a setup their recent results suggest they may struggle to sustain. An early France goal would force Iraq to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: France 2.1 · Iraq 0.5

Quick stats

MetricFranceIraq
Elo rating21541602
Last 5 record5W1D 4L
Goals last 5162
Goals conceded last 5315
Clean sheets last 520

France — last 5

  • Wv Sweden30
  • W@ Norway41
  • Wv Iraq30
  • Wv Senegal31
  • Wv Northern Ireland31

Iraq — last 5

  • L@ Senegal05
  • L@ France03
  • Lv Norway14
  • Lv Venezuela02
  • D@ Spain11

Head to head

22 Jun 2026
France
30
Iraq

Confirmed lineups

France · 4-2-3-1
  1. 16M. Maignan G
  2. 5J. Kounde D
  3. 4D. Upamecano D
  4. 17W. Saliba D
  5. 3L. Digne D
  6. 6M. Kone M
  7. 14A. Rabiot M
  8. 7O. Dembele M
  9. 11M. Olise M
  10. 12B. Barcola M
  11. 10K. Mbappe F
Iraq · 4-1-4-1
  1. 22A. Basil G
  2. 3H. Ali D
  3. 4Z. Tahseen D
  4. 5A. Hashem D
  5. 23M. Doski D
  6. 16A. Al Ammari M
  7. 11A. Qasem M
  8. 24Z. Ismaeel M
  9. 14Z. Iqbal M
  10. 8I. Bayesh M
  11. 18A. Hussein F

Key matchups

K. Mbappe vs Z. Tahseen

France's focal point in attack against the heart of Iraq's defence.

O. Dembele vs Z. Ismaeel

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

A. Hussein vs D. Upamecano

Iraq's main outlet — how France's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.